In partnership with my incredible collaborator and co-conspirator, Jenn David Connolly, we started Unplugged in February 2025. After a year of celebrating design excellence in 2024 as part of World Design Capital, it was easy to see how long standing relationships in the design community had influenced the success of our craft in the region. The AIGA San Diego Tijuana chapter was started back in the ‘80s and many of the original founders are still active today. Networking in modern times is so different with tools like LinkedIn and video meetings augmenting what used to only happen in person. Unplugged is our answer to that gap, creating an opportunity to meet people in person while doing activities away from our screens.

I created a website to help us plant a new garden of information that isn’t necessarily tied to an institution that younger designers may not have a relationship with. The tone is formal, compassionate, and eager to welcome our audience. The colors convey our enthusiasm and a shared love of art, creativity.

Unplugged events happen on a monthly basis with a commitment to no or low cost access. Early events included a collage workshop and a coffee round table, with participation ranging from early career designers and decorated late career designers. We’re so excited to see where things go from here!